Athletic Club Monitoring Former Transfer Target, Alex Berenguer, Ahead Of The Winter Window

After a poor start to the season and a lack of scoring Athletic Club are already looking ahead to the January transfer window. The Lions are hoping to further strengthen the squad and give Eduardo Berizzo more options to work with. Reports have already made it clear that Ander Herrera will be the top target when then market opens, but he may not be the only one.

According to a breaking report from Javier Beltran of AS, Athletic have been closely monitoring Torino winger Alex Berenguer. Ibaigane tried to sign the Osasuna product two summers ago but would not pay his demanded €9 million release clause. Osasuna refused to negotiate and eventually sold Berenguer to Torino for a reported €5.5 million that also included an anti-Athletic clause which would give Osasuna compensation if the 23-year-old were ever sold to Athletic.

Last season was a learning experience for the young winger, but in his second year he has looked much more comfortable and confident in Italy. He’s already accumulated 436 minutes in league play and has scored one goal so far this season. With Berizzo’s demand for intense pressing, Berenguer is viewed as a player who would fit in well at the San Mamés while also giving the team another scoring option.

At this point there is no word on what it would actually take for Athletic to make the signing happen if they were to truly pursue the 23-year-old. Berenguer has been one of Torino’s best players this season and there are no release clauses in Italy. At the same time, Athletic have young wingers of their own in Gorka Guruzeta and Iñigo Córdoba which will likely affect the club’s willingness to pay a large fee for Berenguer. The report goes on to say that Berenguer would love to return to Spain, but only time will tell if Athletic will seriously pursue the potential transfer.